STUART BROAD believes the creaking old guard of himself and Jimmy Anderson can bring an energy boost to the England dressing room when the Test series against India starts this week.

Stuart Broad believes the old guard can bring an energy boost to England (Image: GETTY)

The veteran fast bowler conceded five matches in six weeks most likely means rotation will be key handing opportunities for young talent like Sam Curran and Jamie Porter to come through.

But with England’s leading wicket-taking partnership having had their feet up since the series against Pakistan – Anderson resting a long-standing shoulder injury and Broad battling an ankle niggle – they are ready to come out firing.

“The positive is we haven’t had a huge amount of overs towards the end of June then July so we’re going into a five Test series in just over six weeks really fresh,” he said.

“As a professional in this country you could be going into August a little tired, here’s another warm-up, that sort of thing but the likes of Alastair Cook, myself and Jimmy should be able to bring a lot of energy to a guys who have been playing all summer.

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It’s going to be a physical challenge for the bowlers and we need to be fresh, fit and as excited as possible and I think we all will be

Stuart Broad - Veteran fast bowler

“I see that as a real big positive, we feel fresh. It’s going to be tough, we get a break in series normally but the fixtures have fallen such that it’s going to be a physical challenge for the bowlers and we need to be fresh, fit and as excited as possible and I think we all will be.”

Broad has played just two Championship matches for Nottinghamshire since Pakistan were routed inside three days at Headingley in the first week of June, sending down 41 overs.

Anderson has played even less with just 24 overs in the Roses match last week to keep him occupied. That should ensure that England will be able to go full pelt in Birmingham in order to draw first blood in the series Yet looking further down the line (and unless spin takes over during the series ≠– something Broad said could happen given the dry summer) five Tests in six weeks make the need for rotation clear.

Chris Woakes did not make the final cut in the 13-man squad for Birmingham after his quad injury but will be back at some stage.

Ben Stokes will miss Lord’s for his court case which will free up a place for the second Test.

All of which will mean new faces like Porter and Curran will be given a chance to push in and Broad maintained the old ones will not be grumbling if they are rotated out.

“It’s unrealistic to think your seam bowlers will play five Tests in six weeks and there has already been small conversations saying about don’t be disheartened if you are left out for a Test match,” said Broad.

“If that happens it’s not a personal attack or dropping it’s a management of your bowlers to make sure we give ourselves the best chance. You have to be able to take it.”

Broad and Anderson will have to be able to give advice as well with Jamie Porter and Curran vying for the third seamer’s role with one Test cap between them (Curran’s solitary cap against Pakistan at Headingley).

But Broad is confident both can step up if asked.

Rotation will hand opportunities to young talent like Jamie Porter to come through (Image: GETTY)

“Jamie looks to target the knee roll, push fuller and he gets good seam movement. He hits the stumps, gets lbws and bowled, that’s what he’ll be looking to do in Test cricket,” he said.

“Sam has achieved an incredible amount for one so young and it’s great that he has that sort of composure. I always look for players who bowl big overs in big games – like the Currans [Tom and Sam] at The Oval or Porter leading Essex to a Championship.

“Players who step up in big moments have a good chance of succeeding in Test cricket.”

***Stuart Broad was speaking at the launch of ‘The Test Experts’ Specsavers as Official Test Partner for England ahead of the 1000th Test which begins at Edgbaston on Wednesday.